Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.3 (USS@Tek, v1.0) based on 4.3bsd-beta 6/6/85; site tekigm2.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!bellcore!decvax!tektronix!tekig5!tekigm!tekigm2!marks
From: marks@tekigm2.UUCP (Mark D. Salzman)
Newsgroups: net.sci
Subject: How will it fall?
Message-ID: <632@tekigm2.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 29-Apr-86 15:31:47 EDT
Article-I.D.: tekigm2.632
Posted: Tue Apr 29 15:31:47 1986
Date-Received: Sat, 3-May-86 17:32:49 EDT
Reply-To: marks@tekigm2.UUCP (Mark D. Salzman)
Followup-To: net.sci
Organization: Tektronix, Inc., Beaverton, OR.
Lines: 26
Keywords: physics

Hello Out There,

Here's a little thought problem that might stir things up a bit.

Picture yourself on a space station similar to the one used in 2001
(i.e. a spinning ring or toroid). You are standing in the middle of
one of the decks near the outside edge of the ring and the spin of
the station is providing a "gravity" about equal to that found on
the surface of the Earth.

If you were to drop a ball (a simple release with no additional
forces applied), would it fall straight down (along a line through
the center of the ring and the point of release) or would it follow
another path (relative to the aforementioned line)?

Since my physics is a bit rusty, I can't say which is true. So I
invite comments from more knowledgeable people on which they feel
is right. Please include your reasons to support your views.

Forgive me if this has been covered before. Otherwise, Have A Nice Day!

Mark Salzman, Tektronix Inc.    | The more complex the mind,
P.O. Box 3500, Mail Stop C1-937 | the greater the need for
Vancouver, Washington. 98668    | the simplicity of play.
Phone (206) 253-5542.           |
{world}!tektronix!tekigm2!marks |      James T. Kirk